THE    MINOR    DRAMA 

Z\)t  ^ctfng  lSti(tfon. 
No.  CLVIII. 

THE 

VILLAGE  LAWYER. 

Ilf      TWO      A0T3. 


TO   WHICH   ARE    ADDED 

A  description  of  the  CoBtume— Cast  of  tlie  Cliftracters— Entrannoa    and  £xit«' 

Relative  Positions  of  the  Performers  on  the  Stage,  and  the  whole  of  tha 

Stage  Business. 


AS  PEKFOKMED   AT  THB 

PRINCIPAL  ENGLISH  AND  AMERICAN  THEATRES, 


NEW    YORK: 

SAMUEL     FRENCH, 

122  Nassau  Street,  (Up  Stairs.) 


A  f^ 


MIM    3HT 


CAST  OF  THE  CHARACTERS.— [The  Village  Lawyer.] 

Haymarktt,        Philadelphia.  Laura  Keene'Sf 

London,  1826.  N.  Y.,  1858. 

Scout Mr.  J.  Reeve.  Mr.  Jeflferson.  Mr.  JefiFerson, 

Snarl Mr.  Williams.  Mr.  Francis.  Mr.  Burnett 

Charles Mr.  Cooke.  Mr.  Baker.  Mr.  Duncombe. 

Mittimus Mr.  Lee.  Mr.  Hathwell.  Mr.  Burke. 

Countryman  . . .  Mr.  Parker. 

\st  Constable. . .  Mr.  Murray. 

2d  Constable Mr.  Martin. 

Sluepface Mr.  Wilkinson.  Mr.  Blisset.  Mr.  Peters. 

Kate Miss  Wood.  Mrs.  Bloxten.  Miss  Mary  Wells. 

Mrs.  Scout Mrs.  Kendall.  Mrs.  Francia.  Miss  Bishop. 


MBHARY 
^  WNIVEKSITY  til'  CAIIFORNl,! 

r*^  I  SA.\TA  UAKHAHA 


THE    VILLAGE    LAWYEE. 


ACT    I. 

SCENE  I. — A  Rural  Prospect  with  house  painted  on  r  h.,  with  jn-iKticaUe 
door. 

Enter  Scout  and  Mrs.  Scout, /rww  house. 

Sco2it.  Nay,  nay,  good  wife,  not  so  loud,  or  I  vanish.  Five  and 
twenty  years  have  I  exposed  my  organs  of  hearing  (ay,  and  though  1 
Pay  it  without  whining  too,)  to  the  encounter  of  the  toughest  lungs 
in  Westminster  Hall,  with  no  worse  effect  as  yet,  than  a  modreate 
deafness  of  the  left  ear,  and  a  whizzing  from  time  to  time  in  the 
right.  l)ut  that  dear  lovely  indefatigable  tongue  of  thine  so  far  out- 
dins  the  bar  itself,  that  though  a  lawyer 

Mr.".  S.  A  lawyer!  why  in  that  trim,  you  look  more  like  a  client 
than  a  lawyer  ;  and  no  one  to  see  you  in  such  a  dress,  would  imagine 
yon  had  ever  carried  ou  a  suit  in  any  one'ijname  but  your  own.  Out 
upon  you !  you  are  a  disgrace  to  the  profession,  and  had  you  a  grain 
of  spirit 

Scout  Spirit !  oh,  there  at  least  you  wrong  me,  and  I  defy  any 
practitioner  of  twice  my  standing  to  j)r()duce  more  instances  of  spirit 
than  I  have  ;  who  e.xposes  himself  to  the  displeasure  of  the  judges, 
or  the  censure  of  the  courts.  Show  me  the  man  that  sets  the  pedantic 
regulations  of  common  practice  more  at  defiance  than  I  have  done  ; 
haven't,  I  been  obliged  to  quit  the  London  courts  only  for  displaying 
loo  much  spirit  on  a  certain  occasion? 

.I/as-.  S.  Very  fine  truly  !  and  do  you  boast  of  your  blunders,  and 
make  a  merit  of  your  disgrace  1 

Scout.  This  accident  to  be  sure,  forces  me  to  try  my  talents  in  the 
obscurity  of  rural  practice ;  and  yet.  since  our  removal  to  this  vil- 
lage, though  next  door  to  Justice  Mittimus,  the  best  accustomed 
magistrate  in  the  whole  country,  no  favoral)le  opportunity  has  offer- 
ed ;  not  a  hare  has  been  snared,  or  a  head  broke,  or  (what  a  stranger 
Btill)  a  single  bastard  born,  though  we  have  been  here  a  whole  fort- 


4  THE  VILLAGE    LAWA'ER. 

night,  nay,  the  very  cattle  keep  out  of  pound,  to  spite  m"  But 
come,  have  a  little  patience,  times  will  mend. 

J/rs.  ^.  And  in  the  meantime,  your  wife  is  to  .starve,  and  your 
daughter  to  lose  the  opportunity  of  settling  herself  in  the  world, 
by  a  match  with  one  or  other  of  the  young  men  who  court  her,  and 
whom  the  poverty  of  your  appearance  frighten  away. 

Scout.  Why.  to  gay  the  truth,  there  is  nothing  in  my  dress  that  can 
bring  either  lovers  to  my  daughter,  or  clients  to  myself.  Mankind 
is  governed  by  show,  and  the  surest  way  to  obtain  the  countenance 
of  the  world  is  never  to  appear  to  want  it.  Could  I  hut  once  put  on 
the  appearance  of  business,  the  reality  perhaps  would  soon  follow,  let 
me  see  —couldn't  I — yes.  I  have  it,  I'll  go  and  purchase  me  a  hand- 
some suit  of  clothes  immediately. 

Mrs.  S.  A  handsome  suit  of  clothea!  what,  without  a  farthing  in 
your  pocket? 

Seoul.  Why  not?  in  London  all  your  handsome  suits  are  purchased 
the  same  way.     What  color  shall  I  choose?  bat'.s-wing — or 

Mm.  S.  Oh.  no  matter  for  the  color,  if  you  can  find  any  one  kind 
enough  to  trust  you  with  the  clothes. 

Scuut.  Ttien  to  lose  no  time,  I'll  step  over  the  way  to  the  rich  dra- 
per's, my  neighbor  Snarl's. 

Mrs.  S.  To  neighbor  Snarl's!  have  a  care  what  you  do  there.  You 
know  his  son  Charles  is  in  love  with  our  Harriet,  and  would  have 
married  her  before  now,  but  for  fear  of  his  father  ;  I  would  not  for 
the  world  you  should  do  anything  to  overthrow  my  daughter's 
hope. 

Scout.  Never  fear.  Step  in  and  fetch  my  hat  and  gown.  [Exit'M'RS. 
S.,  into  hou.^e.]  I  have  just  time  to  slip  it  on  ;  it  will  give  me  a  more 
creditable  appearance  before  old  Snarl,  and  these  rags  of  mine  into 
the  bargain. 

Enter  Mrs.  Scout,  with  gmcn  and  hat. 

Ay,  this  will  do.  How  many  sleek,  spruce,  demure-looking  gowns 
are  there  in  the  world,  as  well  as  this ;  good  for  nothing  else,  but 
covering  things  net  fit  to  be  seen.  \_Exeunt,  L.  H. 

SCENE  n. — SnarVs  shop,  door  in  c.  desJc,  day  book,  pe?i  and  ink.  */ooi- 

chairs,  cloth  on  counter. 

Enter  Snarl  a)id  Charles,  t.  h.,  rou^h  door. 

Snarl.  Well,  son,  I  ordered  you  to  inquire  me  out  a  shepherd  in- 
stead of  that  dog  Sheepface  ;  didn't  1 1 

Char.  Why,  surely,  father,  you  have  no  fault  to  find  with  Sheep- 
face. 

Snarl.  No  ;  only  that  he  is  a  thief!  an  arrant  thief! 

Chiir.  I  ul'.vays  found  Sheepface  a  very  faithful  servant. 

Snarl.  To  you  he  may.  but  not  to  me ;  he  has  been  but  a  month  in 
my  service,  and  there  are  fourteen  of  my  wethers  mis.sing  ;  now  it  is 
impossible  so  great  a  pumber  in  so  short  a  time  could  die  of  the  rot 
as  he  says. 

Char.  You  don't  consider  what  a  havoc  a  disorder  sometimes 
makes. 


THE    VILLAGE    tAWTER.  6 

Snarl.  With  the  help  of  a  doctor,  I  grant  yon,  but  my  sheep  had  no 
doctor,  poor  things  !  yet  they  could  not  have  made  more  haste  if  they 
had  been  prescribed  for  by  the  whole  faculty.  As  for  that  dog, 
Sheepface,  I  have  suspected  him  for  some  time  ;  but  last  night  I 
caught  him  in  the  act.  and  this  morning  I  mean  to  bring  him  l)efore 
Justice  Mittimus ;  but  first  of  all,  I  must  know  exactly  what's  my 
loss.  Reach  me  the  account  of  the  flojk.  [.%.?  down.'\  And  if  neigh- 
bor Gripe,  the  constable,  inquires  for  me,  send  him  this  way. 

Enter  Sheepface,  t.  h.,  rough  door. 
Char.    [Aside  to  Sueepface.]  Sheepface,  all's  out,  I  find,   father's 
confoundedly  angry,  try  what  you  can  do  to  soften  it,  but  beware  of 
speaking.  Exit,  l.  h. 

Snarl.  Let  me  see  :  ''Bought  of  farmer  Clod." 
Sheep.  Save  your  good  worship,  sweet  master  Snarl. 
Snarl.  How,  villian.have  you  the  impudence  to  appear  in  my  sight, 
after  the  tricks  you  have  played  me  1 

Sheep.  Only  to  tell  your  wor?-hip,  that  neighbor  Gripe  has  been 
talking  to  me  about  sheep-stealing,  and  Justice  Mittimus,  and  your 
worship,  and  a  power  of  things,  and  so  I  said  I  wouldn't  make  a  .«ecret 
of  it  to  my  good  master's  worship  any  longer. 

Snarl.  Your  affected  innocence  sha'n't  save  you,  you  rascal;  didn't  I 
catch  you  last  night  killing  one  of  the  fattest  of  my  wethers. 
Sheep.  Only  to  keep  it  from  dying. 
S/i"rl.  Kill  it  to  keep  it  from  dying  ! 

Slieep.  Of  the  rot,  and  please  your  worship,  it's  a  secret  I  learn 
from  the  doctor  in  our  town.  He  cured  most  of  his  patients  the  same 
way. 

Smirl.  The  doctor,  rascal !  the  doctor  has  a  license  to  kill  from  the 
college.  Such  sheep  as  mine,  too,  there  was  not  in  all  England,  such 
another  breed  for  Spanish  wool. 

Sheep.  Be  satisfied  your  worship  with  the  blows  you  gave  me, 
and  let's  make  up  matters,  if  it's  your  worship's  sweet  will  and  plea- 
sure. 

SiKol.  My  will  and  pleasure  is  to  hang  you,  rascal,  to  bang  you. 
Sheep.  Consider,  your  worship,  I  was  married  but  yesterday  ;  leave 
me  to  myself,  a  week  or  two,  and  who  knows  but  I  may  save  you  the 
trouble. 

Snarl.  No,  rascal,  the  gallows  is  the  quickest  remedy  of  the  two, 
and  every  bit  as  sure  as  t'other. 

Sheep.    Heaven    give  you    good   luck  of  it  then,  if  it  must  be  so, 

sweet  master  Snarl.     I  must  go  look  for  a  lawyer,  I  see,  or  might  will 

overcome  right.     Oh,  dear,  that  an  honest  man  should  be  treated  so, 

only  for  killing  a  fVwsheep  to  save  'em  from  dying.       [Exit,  ii.  ii. 

Snarl.  [Sitling  down.]    A  dog!    but  he  shall  pay  lor  this.     Let  me 

see — two,  and  two  are  lour 

Enter  ScouT,  through  door. 
Scoiit.   The  coast  is  clear  at  last,  now  or  never. 

Snarl.  And  seven — no,  nine 

Scout.  [A:iide  ]  Yonder's  a  piece  of  cloth  now  would  suit  me  to  a 
hair.    Give  me  leave,  sir,  to 


6  THE    VILLAGE    LAWYER. 

Snarl.  Who's  there  ?  Gripe,  I  suppose.  Wait  a  moment,  honefil 
Gripti. 

Sc(M.  I  am  lawyer  Scout,  your  neighbor— I  am  come  to 

Snarl.  I  am  lawyer  Seoul  my  ueighbor's  very  humble  servant  : 
but  h"  and  I  have  no  busiuess  together,  that  I  know  of,  '-carried 
ovi  r'" 

Scout.  You'll  havf?  another  story  to  tell  to-morrow,  or  I'm  much 
mistaken.  [Askk.]  1  liud.  sir.  upon  looking;  over  my  late  father's  pa- 
pers, an  aceouut  of  a  debt  left  uapiiid.  and  I  am  come 

Snail.  U's  no  business  of  mine  ;  1  owe  no  man  a  farthing. 

Scout.  I  wish  I  ciiuld  say  as  much  for  niy.self ;  but  [  find  that  wy 
father  was  indebted  lo  i/ours  in  asinsll  balance  of  lifty  pounds,  and 
as  a  man  of  honor,  1  am  Come  here  to  pay  it  to  you. 

Snarl.  [Risiny.']  My  dear  sir.  ten  ihousand  pardons  for  my  forget- 
fulaess.  1  recollect  you  [lertectly  now.  Ves,  you  lived  in  the  next 
villagi  and  you  and  I  were  sworn  comrades  formerly.  Piay,  sir.  I)e 
seated.  [Hands  a  chair. 

Scout.  Dear,  sir,  if  those  who  are  indebted  to  me,  had  a  little  of  my 
punctuality,  I  shoubl  be  a  richer  man  than  I  am  ;  but  to  have  my 
name  in  any  one's  l>ook  is  a  tiling;  I  can't  bear. 

Snarl.  And  yet  tlie  geneiality  of  people  bear  it  very  patiently. 

Scout.  I  am  upon  thorns  in  a  manner,  while  I  owe  one  a  farthing, 
and  for  that  reason  I  am  come  to  know  when  you'll  be  at  leisure  to 
receive  the  money. 

Snarl.  No  time  like  the  present. 

Scout.  True,  I  have  it  at  home,  ready  told  ;  but  as  I  have  the 
manugement  of  my  father's  effects,  only  as  a  guardian  for  my  daugh- 
ter Harriet,  it'.-^  proper  that  the  other  guardians  should  be  by  at  the 
payment. 

Snurl.  Very  true,  sir,  then  what  do  you  think  of  to-morrow  at  three 
o'clock. 

Seoul.  With  all  my  heart,  but  I  have  interrupted  you,  perhaps.  IKises.] 
Why,  sir,  you  do  more  business  than  all  the  shopkeepers  in  this  part 
ol  the  country  put  together. 

Snarl.  I  can't  complain. 

Scout.  No,  you  have  such  a  way  with  you,  that  tho.-!e  who  buy  once, 
can't  lor  the  blood  of  them,  help  coming  to  you  again.  A  pretty  bit 
of  cloth,  this 

Siuirl.  Very  pretty. 

Seoul.  One  meets  in  your  shop  such  a  generosity  of  treatment, 
a  politeness  of  behavior,  that  it  makes  it  pieasauter  \o pay  money  to 
you  than  to  receive  it  elsewhere.     The  wool  seems  tolerable  fine. 

Snarl.   Right  Spanish  wool,  every  hair  of  it,  sir. 

Scout.  So  I  thought;  uow  we  talk  of  Spanish  wool,  if  I  am  not 
mi.-tiken.  Mr.  Snail,  you  and  1  went  to  school  together  formerly. 

Snarl.  What,  to  old  Iroutist '.' 

Scout    The  satiie  ;  you  were  a  very  handsome  youth,  I  remember. 

Snarl.  So  my  moiber  always  ^aid. 

Scout.  Egad,  lor  old  acquaintance  sake,  you  and  I  must  eat  a  bit  of 
dinner  loi^eiher  to  d.iy.  1  have  a  fine  goose  at  home,  that  a  client 
sent  me  from  Norfolk. 


XriE    VILLAGE    LAWYER.  / 

Snarl.  Goose  !  that's  my  favorite  dish. 

Sfout.  And  my  wifn  .sh-.iU  dress  it  by  a  ftimity  receipt.  It'.s  a  trea- 
6'arc,  that  recipe's  a  perli  ct  treasure.  Her  uncle,  the  late  Alderman 
Dumpling,  passed  through  the  whole  circle  of  corporatiou  huiiorp, 
and  died  mayor  by  virtue  of    that  receipt. 

Snarl.   Ay.  ay  ! 

Seoul  Then  Mrs.  Scout  will  bo  happy  to  see  you  ;  now  I  think  on"t, 
I  promi'sed  h:'r  that  you  should  have  ray  custom  for  the  future,  and 
to  make  a  l)cginning  I  don't  care  if  I  have  the  pattern  of  a  suit  of 
clothes  from  you  now. 

Snarl.  Very  happy  to  accommodate  you,  sir  ;  what  color  would  you 
choose. 

Scuitt.  Color?  Why  here's  a  pretty  one  enough,  to  my  mind, 
sir. 

Snarl.  Very  pretty  indeed,  sir ;  it's  an  iron-gray.  Shall  I  cut  off 
the  quantity  you  want,  to  have  it  ready  1 

Seoul.  To  have  it  ready  !  uo,  .Mr.  Snarl,  pay  as  you  go,  that's  my 
rule  ;  pay  as  you  go. 

Siuirt.  Ecod,  an  excellent  rule  it  is. 

Seoul.  Do  you  remember,  Mr.  Snarl,  the  evening  we  were  together 
at  the  goo^e  and  gridiron  ? 

Snarl.  What,  the  evening  I  so  roasted  our  curate? 

Scout.  The  same  ;  you  were  very  severe  on  him.  You  had  a  world 
of  it.     Pray,  what  must  I  pay  you  a  yard  for  this  cloth  1 

Snarl.  Why.  sir,  another  should  pay  me  nineleeaand  sixpence  ;  but 
come,  you  shall  have  it  at  nineteen  shillings — now  I  think  of  it,  here's 
your  quantity  ready  cut. 

Scout.    Rtady  cut,    that's    lucky,   indeed. 

[Snatches  up  the  cloth. 

Snarl.  Stop  a  moment,  till  I  measure  it  before  you. 

Seoul.  Oh,  fie,  do  you  think  I  have  any  doubt  of  you  1 

Smrrl.  But  the  price 

Seoul.  I*ooh,  I  never  haggle  with  a  friend  ;  I  leave  all  that  to  you. 
(xood-day. 

Snarl,  [..et  my  shopman  carry  it  over,  and  brink  back — 

Scaut.  No,  no,  don't  take  him  from  business.  It  is  but  a  step,  you 
know,  and  I'll  carry  it  twice  as  far  to  oblige  you.  Compliments  to 
Mrs.  Snarl  ;  good-bye  to  you,  good-bye. 

[Exit,  Ss\Rh  follouft  through  door. 

SCENE  III.— Scout's  house. 
Enter  Kate  n7id  Shkf.pfact:.  h.  ii. 

Kate.  Lookye,  if  you  want  a  lawyer  to  bring  you  out  of  a  scrape, 
my  master's  the  man  for  your  money. 

Sheep.  I  know  it,  he  stood  my  friend  once  when  brother  and  I  were 
put  to  trouble  ;  would  you  l)elievo  it,  only  for  m-'uding  thi'  complex- 
ion of  a  bald  face  horse  ;  but  I  have  s^uch  a  tiea(;h"rons  memory,  I 
don't  know  how  it  came  about,  but  somehow  or  other  I  forgot  to  pay 
him. 

Kate.  He'll  uot  think  of  that,  perhaps  ;  at  any  rate  take  care  not  to 


8  THE    VILLAGE    LAWTER. 

tell  him  who  the  plaintiff  is  ;  for  I  know  he  would  not  on  any  ac- 
count be  concerned  a,i,^ainst  Mr.  Snarl. 

Sheep.  I'll  onlj  tell  him  of  my  master,  without  mentioning  any 
name  ;  and  he'll  think  I  mean  the  farmer  I  !ive4  with,  when  I  cour- 
ted you  tir.st. 

Kate.  Do  so,  here  he  comes.  [Exil,  u.  H. 

Enter  Scout. 

Scmd.  Sure  I  should  know  that  face,  I  think — yes,  the  same. 
Harkye,  did'ut  I  save  you  and  your  brother  from  being  hanged  some 
time  since  at  York. 

Sheep.  Yes,  your  worship,  yes. 

Scout.   By  tlie  same  token  one  of  you  forgot  to  pay  me. 

Sheep.  Yes,  that  was  brother. 

Scout.  The  other  was  sick  at  the  trial,  and  died  some  time  after  in 
prison. 

Sheep.  That  was  not  I. 

Scout.  So  I  see. 

Sheep.  For  all  that  I  was  sicker  nor  brother !  and  so  as  I  was  say- 
ing, I  am  come  to  beg  of  your  worship  to  speak  for  me  before  the 
justice  against  his  wor.-^hip,  my  master. 

Scout.  VVliat,  the  great  farmer  in  the  neighborhood'? 

Sheep.  He  lives  in  the  neighborhood  sure  enough,  and  your  worship 
shall  be  paid  to  your  heart's  content. 

Scout.  Let  me  hear  your  case,  and  be  sure  you  tell  it  without  dis- 
guise. 

Sheep.  You  must  know  then,  and  please  your  worship,  my  master 
give  me  but  little  wages,  very  small  wages,  indeed  :  and  so,  to  make 
amends  for  that,  without  doing  him  any  damage,  I  thought  as  how 
I'd  best  do  a  little  business  on  my  own  account  with  a  worthy 
neighbor,  a  butcher  by  trade. 

Scout.  And  what  kind  of  business  do  you  carry  on? 

Sheep.  Under  favor.  I  hinder  .sheep  from  dying  of  the  rot. 

Scout.  There's  no  harm  in  that  :  how  do  yon  contrive — 

Sheep.  Please  your  worship,  I  cut  their  throats  before  they  have 
time  to  catch  it. 

Scout.  A  very  effectual  remedy  truly  ;  and  your  master  perhaps,  is 
unreasonable  enough  to  say  you  do  so  only  to  sell  the  carcasses,  and 
keep  the  money  to  yourself. 

Sheep.  Yes,  your  worship,  and  I  can't  l)eat  it  out  of  his  head,  be- 
cause last  night  he  saw  me — I  mean — [ — must  I  tell  th;  truth  1 

Scout.  Yes.  tell  the  truth  here,  or  how  shall  we  be  able  to  lie  to  any 
purpose  elsewhere. 

Sheep.  The  truth  of  the  matter  then  is.  that  last  night  after  I  was 
married,  having  a  little  leisure  time  upon  my  hands,  I  took  a  walk  as 
far  as  our  pt'ns.  and  there,  as  T  was  musing  on,  I  don't  know  what, 
I  takes  my  knife,  and  so  happening  by  mere  accident  to  put  it,  crav- 
iug  your  worship's  pardon,  under  the  throat  of  a  fat  wether.  I  don't 
know  how  it  came  al)ont.  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  wether  died 
all  of  a  sudden  as  a  body  may  say. 

Scout.  And  there  was  somebody  looking  on  the  whole  time,  eh  ? 


THE    VILLAGE    LAWYER.  \i 

Sheep.  Yes,  master,  from  bt'liind  the  hedge,  and  fo  he  will  have  it 
that  fourteea  wethers,  which  I  ^aved  Iroin  catchiiiiz  t'n-  rol.  died  all 
along:  of  me  And  so,  as  your  WDrship  may  see.  he  laid  such  a  sho\v'. 
er  of  blows  upon  me  as  put  the  hride  out  ol  temper  the  whole  iup:ht  ; 
but  I  hope  j'our  worship  will  stand  my  friend,  and  not  let  me  lo^e 
the  (ruits  ol  my  iionest  industry  all  at  ouce. 

Scoid.  1  utid'-rstiind  you  ;  there  are  two  ways  of  proceeding  in  this 
affair  ;  the  first  wou'r  put  you  to  a  farthia  of  expease. 

Sheep.   Lets  try  that  by  all  means. 

Sc'/ut.  With  all  my  heart ;  you  have  scraped  up  something  hand- 
some in  the  course  of  your   practice  on  your  ma.ster's  sheep. 

Sheep.  Heaven  knows  1  Lave  been  up  late  and  early  for  it. 

Seoul.  Vour  savings  are  all  iu  hard  cash,  I  suppose. 

Sheep.  Yes.  your  wor>hip. 

Scout.  You  mu-t  hide  the  wliole  sum  immediately  in  the  safest 
place  you  can  think  of. 

Sheep.  That  I  will,  wiiliout  fail. 

Scoiit.   Your  master  will   be  obliged  to  pay  all  costs  and  charges. 

Sheep.  So  he  ought ;  he  can  atiord  it. 

Scout.'  And  without  a  penny  out  of  your  pocket. 

Sheep.  Just  as  I  would  have  it. 

Scout.  He'll  l)e  put  to  the  trouble  of  having  you  hanged. 

Si.eep.  Zounds,  let's  try  the  Other  way  lirst. 

Scout.  Wt'll,  then,  you    are  to   be  brought    before    Justice  Mitti- 

TiUR. 

Sheep.  So  I  am  told. 

Scout.  T;ike  no  notice  of  this. 

Sheep.   Never  tear  me. 

Scout.  To  every  qviestion  asked  you,  either  by  court,  the  plaintiff, 
lawyer,  or  myself,  make  no  reply  but  in  the  language  of  your  own 
r.iuri  wheu  they  call  their  lamb.s ;  you  can  speak  that  language,  can"i 
}nu. 

SIic'p.  It's  my  mother  tongue 

Scout.  The  blows  you  have  r(!ceived  on  your  head,  have  suggesteJ 
a  schc!me,  which,  a.'-sisted  by  Mittimus's  credulity  may  perhaps  save 
;;'ou  ;  but  I  e.xpect  to  be  well  paid. 

Stieep.  That  you  shall,  as  I  am  an  honest  man  ;  good-day  your  wor- 
ship Lord,  Lord  !  what  troubles  we  poor  folks  have  to  keep  our 
own  in  this  world.  Your  servant,  your  worship  :  I  shall  reuiembir. 
Baa.  baa   baa.  [Kxit.  L.  u 

Scout.  So,  if  the  contrivance  I  have  thouglit  of  to  elude  my  neigh- 
bor's demand,  does  not  succeed  ;  the  money  I  get  from  this  new  cli- 
ent may  stop  his  mouth,  perhaps.  [Exit,  r.  u. 


END  OK  ACT  I. 


10  THE    VILLAGE    LAWTBR. 


ACT       II. 


SCENE  I. — A  Rural  Prospect,  same  as  Act  I.  Scene  I. 

EnUr  Snarl,  l.  u* 

Snarl.  This  is  a  very  busy  day  with  me.  I  am  to  receive  different 
suras  of  money  from  my  worthy  neiglibor,  Lawyer  Scout,  and  to  eat 
a  goose  with  him,  dressed  after  a  receipt  of  the  late  worshipful  Alder- 
man Dumpling.  Well,  I  always  said  the  aldermen  were  a  useful  body 
of  men.  But  suppose  I  call  in  to  see  how  matters  stand,  by  way  of 
asking  how  he  does  ;  here's  a  savory  smell.  Egad  !  they  have  put  down 
the  goose  already.     I'll  go  and  have  a  sop  in  the  pan. 

[Exit,  into  house. 

SCENE  II. — A  Room  in  Scmd's  House.     Scout^s  goivn  and  wig  lying  mi 
table;  chairs.  Sfc. 

Enter  Scout  and  Mrs.  Scout,  k.  n. 

Scout.  Quick,  quick  !  old  Snarl  is  coming  up— I  hear  him  on  the 
Btairs.    Now  miud  your  cue,  wife. 

Mn.  S.  Never  fear  me  ;  I'll  be  a  good  nurse,  I  warrant  me. 

Enter  SiVARL,  l.  h. 

Scout.  [In  a  chair,  as  sick.]  Wi-f-e,  here's  the  apo-thecary. 

Smirl.  The  apothecary ! 

Scout.  He  brings  me  the  cooling  mixture. 

Snarl.  The  cooling  mixture. 

Mrs.  S.  Oh,  dear  sir!  I  hope  you  have  brought  something  to  give 
my  poor  husband  a  little  ease.  He  has  been  in  the  condition  you  see 
this  fortnight  past. 

Snarl.  This  fortnight,  woman !  why 

Mrs.  S.  Yes,  this  day  fortnight,  of  all  the  good  days  in  the  year,  he 
was  taken  with  a  lunacy  fit,  and  has  not  been  out  of  the  room  since. 

Snarl.  Zounds!  not  out  of  the  room!  AVhy  he  came  to  my  house 
this  morning  ;  by  the  same  token  he  bought  four  yards  of  my  iron- 
gray  cloth  of  me,  and  I  come  for  the  money.  Good  morrow,  Mr. 
Scout. 

Scout.  Good  morrow,  geod  Mr.  Drench. 

Snarl.  Mr.  Drench ! 

Mrs.  S.  He  takes  you  for  the  apothecary,  sir.  Pray  leave  the  room, 
for  heaven's  sake,  if  you  can  give  him  no  relief. 

Snarl.  But  patience.     You  remember,  Mr.  Scout,  this  morning 

Scout.  Yes  ;  this  morning,  I  bid  my  wife  lay  by  for  you 

Snarl.  Ay,  I  knew  he  would  remember  it. 

Scout.  I  bid  her  lay  by  for  you,  carefully,  a  large  glass-full  of  my — 

Snarl.  A  glass-full!  I  am  come  for  my  money.  Zounds!  is  that 
the  coin  I  am  to  be  paid  in  ? 

3Irs.  S.  Dear  sir.  retire. 

SnarL  When  I  am  paid,  and  not  before. 


THE    VILLAGE    LAWYER.  11 

Scoat.  I  bewech  you  let  me  have  no  more  of  thoee  odious  pills  ;  they 
had  like  to  have  made  me  give  up  the  ghost. 

Snarl.  I  wish  they  had  made  you  give  up  my  cloth. 

Scoid.  IRisifig.}  Wife,  see,  see !  three  large  buzzing  butterflies,  with 
amber  heads,  and  crystal  wings!  There  they  go !  there!  Tally  oh  ! 
hoics,»hoics  !  tally  oh!*  ho!  ho! 

StmH.  I  see  none  of  them. 

Mrs.  S.  But  you  ser>  he  raves. 

Scotit.  [Falling  hack  in  chair.]  Save  me,  good  folks,  from  the  doctor, 
and  a  fig  for  the  disease! 

Snurl.  Oh,  he  talks  good  sense  how.  Now  I'll  speak  to  him.  Neigh- . 
bor  Scout, 

Scout  IJumping  up.]  My  client!  my  lord  !  Sir  Hugh  Witheriugtoo! 

Snarl.  Sir  Hugh  Witherington ! 

Scout.  Charges  the  defendant.  Sir  Hugh  Montgomery 

Smtrl.  Gomery  !  Why,  it  is  possible  I  could  have  mistaken  another 
for  him. 

Mrs.  S.  Nay.  now  you  have  tormented  the  poor  man  sufficiently  ; 
let  liini  have  a  little  rrst. 

Sn/irl.  Stay  ;  he  looks  as  if  he  would  speak  to  me. 

Seoul.  Ob,  dear  Mr.  Snarl ! 

Snarl.  He  knows  me !     I  said  so. 

Scout.  I  beg  ten  tliousand  pardons 

Snarl.  No  apologies — well 

Scout  That  since  my  arrival  in  this  village,  I  haven't  been  to  see 
you. 

Snarl.  Not  been  to  see  me  !     Why.  this  very  day,  you  know 

Scout.  Yes  ;  to-day,  to  make  my  excuses,  I  sent  an  attorney  of  my 
acquaintance. 

Snarl.  An  attorney!  Eh!  shall  I  never  see  my  cloth  again  ?  But 
it's  all  a  sham;  you  yourself  was  the  very  person.  By  the  same 
token  your  father  owed  mine  fifty  pounds.  Ay,  ay,  you  may  shake 
your  h'-ad,  but  I  sha'u't  quit  the  place  without  either  my  cloih  or  my 
money. 

Scuul.  This  won't  do,  I  find  ;  I  must  try  another  method.  lAaide.] 
Wife,  wife!  don't,  you  hear  tln'iu  ?  The  thieves  are  breaking  in  at  the 
door;  but  I'll  bite 'em  this  way.  Here  they  come!  My  musket! 
I'll  shoot 'em!     Stop  thief !  [Cy/ter^sSxAUi-.]  My  musket!  my  musket  1-i 

[ExU,  R.   H.      'J* 

Snarl.  A  thief!  my  musket!     Ecod,  it  may  be  dangerous  to  argue  ' 
with  a  madman  and  a  blunderbuss. 

Re-enter  Scout,  r.  ji.,  with  a  birch-broom,  which  he  levels  a'  Snarl,  who, 
supposing  it  a  musket,  scrambUn  off,  l.  u..  crying  out : 

Oh  Lord  !  Oh  dear  ! 

Scout.  Ila,  ha,  ha !    He's  gone  at  last. 

Mrs.  S.  Yes,  yes,  he's  gone.     You  have  no  further  occasion  for  me  ;'' 
but  stay  you  here  for  fear  of  his  return.  [Exit,  r.  h. 

Scout.  So  I  have  got  a  reprieve  for  some  time  at  least.  Here  he 
comes  again.  Stop  thief!  stop  thief!  stop  thief  I  Oh!  it'?  my  new 
clieat. 


12  TEE    VILLAGE    LAWYER. 

Enter  Sheepface,  l.  h. 

Sheep.  At  your  worship's  service  ;  Justice  Mittimus  is  ready,  and 
tht!  court  will  sit  immediately. 

Scout.  Wait  till  I  put  on  my  gown,  and  be  sure  you  remember  the 
instructions  I  gave  you.  . 

Sheep.  Never  fear,  your  worship.  Baa!  Practice  makes  perfect,  they 
say. 

Scout.  This  way  ;  we  have  no  time  to  lose. 

Sheep.  I  have  been  improving  myself  this  half-hour  past,  in  ourpens", 
and  now  I  am  so  fluent  in  talking  like  a  sheep,  that  I  question  if  his 
worship  and  the  whole  bench  together  could  beat  me  at  it.  Baa! 
baa  !  [Exeunt,  i..  H. 

SCENE  III. — The  Court  at  the  Justice's.     Table  and  Jive  chairs. 
Mittimus  discovered ;  two  Justices,  b.  h.,  and  Sxap.l  discovered,  l.  h. 
Mil.  Well,  the   court  is  assembled,   and  the  parties  may  appear. 
Where  is  your  lawyer,  neighbor  Snarl  ? 
Snarl.  I  am  my  own  lawyer. 

Enter  ScouT,  Sheepface,  and  Constables,  l.  h. 

Scout.  [Aside  to  Sheepface.]  How,  rascal,  you  have  imposed  upon 
me.     Is  that  the  plaintiff? 

Sheep.  Yes,  that's  his  worship,  my  good  master. 

Scout.  [Asid.e.]  How  shall  I  get  out  of  this  scrape  1  If  I  go  off,  it 
will  rouse  his  suspicions.     I'll  e'en  stay,  and  outface  him. 

Snarl.  [Seeing  Scout.]  Hey-day !  who  have  we  here  1  The  very 
fellow,  as  I  live. 

Mil.  Neighbor  Snarl,  you  are  the  plaintiff;  begin. 

Smirl.  Then  you  must  know,  that  this  thief 

Mit.  Come,  come,  no  abuse. 

Snarl.  The  short  and  the  long  of  it  then  is,  that  this  scoundrel, 
shephurd  of  mine  that  was,  has  robbed  me  of  fourteen  wethers. 

Scout.  That  remains  to  be  proved. 

Snarl  [Aside,']  His  voice,  by  Jupiter  1 

Mit.  What  proof  have  you  ? 

Snarl.  Proof — why  I — I  sold  them  this  morning — no,  I  don't  mean 
that — I  gave  him  in  charge  Jour  yards — no,  I  don't  mean  that — four- 
score .«heep,  I  should  say,  and  there  are  but  threescore  and  six  forth- 
coming. 

Scout.  I  deny  the  fact. 

Snarl.  Well,  if  I  had  not  left  the  other  in  a  lunacy  fit,  I  should 
swear  this  was  the  very  man. 

Mit.  This  is  the  very  man,  without  doubt ;  but  that  is  not  the  point, 
at  present.     The  fact,  neighbor  Snarl,  prove  the  fact. 

Snarl.  I  prove  it  by  my  oath — I  mean  by  the  count  of  my  flock. 
What's  become  of  the  four  yards — fourteen  sheep,  I  should  say — that 
are  missing? 

Scout.  They  are  dead  of  the  rot. 

Snarl.  Zounds !  'tis  he  himself. 

Mit.  Again,  why  I  tell  you  once  more,  neighbor,  nobody  doubts 


THK    VILLAOK    LAWYER.  l3 

that.    It  is  asserted  that  your  shnep  died  of  the  rot.     What  do  jou 
answer  to  that  ? 

Snarl.  I  answer  that  it  is  a  confounded  lie,  and  the  proof  oii't  is.  I 
was  hiding  behind  the  hedge,  when  who  should  come  up  liut  this  fel- 
low, and  laying  hold  of  one  of  the  fattest  of  my  wethers,  sits  d'.wn 
beside  me,  and  after  cajoling  me  for  awhile  about  Wiiherington, 
Gomery,  lie  makes  no  more  ado,  but  carries  off  four  yards  of  it. 

Mil.  Four  yards  of  your  wethers? 

Snarl.  Eh  !  no— my  cloth — I  say  my  cloth — the  other 

3fU    What  other,  neighbor,  what  other? 

Scout.  Dear  sir,  he's  mad,  raving  mad. 

Mit.  I  fear  so.  Harliye,  neighbor  Snarl ;  not  all  the  justices  in  the 
country — no.  nor  their  clerks  either — could  make  anything  of  your 
evidence.  You  talk  of  fourteen  wethers  stole  from  you,  and  you 
jumble  up  with  that  four  yards  of  cloth,  and  Wittington.  and  1  don't 
know  what.  Stick  to  your  wethers,  I  say,  or  I  must  discharge  the 
prisoner.  But  the  shortest  way  is  to  examine  him  himself.  Come 
here,  my  good  fellow  ;  hold  up  your  head.     What  is  your  name  ? 

S/iee}).  Baa! 

Snarl.  He  lies  ;  his  name  is  Sheepface. 

Mil.  Well.  Sheeplaco  or  Baa,  no  matter  for  the  name.  Tell  me,  is 
it  true  that  Mr.  Snarl  gave  you  fourscore  sheep  in  charge  ? 

Sheep.  Baa ! 

Mit.  How  ?  Oh  !  his  fears  get  the  better  of  him,  perhaps.  Come, 
come,  don't  be  alarmed  ;  did  Mr.  Snarl  catch  you  at  night  killing  one 
of  his  wethers  ? 

Sheep.  Baa ! 

Mit.  Hey-day!  what  can  this  mean'? 

Scoitt.  Why,  sir,  the  blows  the  plaintifiF  gave  the  poor  fellow  on  his 
head,  have  ati'ected  his  brain,  and  put  him,  as  your  worship  .sees,  be- 
side himself.  He's  to  be  trepanned  as  soon  as  the  court  breaks  up, 
and  Mr.  Mincemeat,  the  surgeon,  says  it  is  the  whole  materia  medica 
to  a  dose  of  jalap  that  he  never  recovers. 

Snarl.  Oh  !  for  the  matter  of  that,  it  was  a  dark  night;  and  when- 
ever I  strike,  I  always  strike  home,  and  when  and  where  I  can. 

Scout.  There,  sir,  he  confesses  the  fact ;  a  voluntary  confession. 

3fU.  Ay,  ay,  a  voluntary  confession.  Release  the  prisoner  ;  I  find 
no  cause  o!'  complaint  against  him.  [Exit  Co.NSTAnLKS.  l.  ii. 

Snarl.  But  I  appeal.     As  to  you,  Mr.  Irongray,  we  shall  meet. 

[  To  ScoiT. 

Mil.  Oh  fie,  Mr.  Snarl !  you  are  much  to  blame. 

Snarl.  To  blame,  quotha  !  One  runs  off  with  my  clolli  :  the  other 
cuts  the  throats  of  my  wethers  ;  one  pays  me  with  (Jomery.  and  the 
other  with  baa  :  yet,  after  all,  I  am  to  blame!  As  lor  you.  Mr.  .lus- 
lice,  I'll  appeal  to  a  higher  court,  and  that  you  shall  find.  .Mr.  Wise- 
acre. [Exit,  I.  u. 

Scoui.  [To  Shekpface.]  Go  thank  his  worship,  go. 

Shetf.  Baa,  baa ! 

Mit.  Enough,  enough.  Poor  fellow!  go  and  be  trepaniu'd  (iireclly; 
go.  [Exit,  It.  u. 

Sheep.  Baa ! 


14  THE    VILLAGK    LAWYER. 

Scout.  W(ll,  I  have  brought  you  oflf  with  flying  colors,  you  see  ;  and 
you  are  a  man  of  your  word,  I  know  ;  and  I  am  sure  you  will  pay  me 
generously,  as  you  have  promised  me. 

Slieep.  ]>aa ! 

Scout.  Yes,  yes  ;  you  played  your- part  very  well,  but  that  isn't  the 
point  now.     My  lee — do  you  see  ? — my  fee. 

Sheep.  Baa ! 

Scout.  What,  am  I  to  be  outwitted  by  a  walking  scrubbing  post?  a 
two-legged  bull-wether?  a 

Sheep.  Baa ! 

Scout.  So  I  am  outdone  here,  I  find.  But  come,  will  you  assist  in 
lu'inging  about  n)y  daughter's  marriage?  If  the  scheme  succeeds — if 
you  and  your  wife,  my  maid  Kate,  play  your  parts  well,  I  shall  think 
myself  sufficiently  paid — if  not,  I'll  show  you  what  it  is  to  attempt 
cheating  a — lawyer.  But  to  your  hiding-place,  scoundrel,  do  you 
hearl 

Sheep.  Baa,  baa !  [Exit,  L.  H. 

Scout.  The  devil  baa  you.  But  come,  his  worship  seems  so  persuaded 
of  the  fellow's  dangerous  situation,  that  it  will  be  no  hard  matter  to 
persuade  him  that  he's  at  the  point  of  death.  But  here  he  comes,  and 
Kate  along  with  him.  The  work's  begun,  I  see  ;  I  must  stay  and  lend 
a  hand. 

Enter  Mittimus  and  Kate,  b.  h. 

Mil.  Poor  fellow  !     Dead  do  you  say,  and  so  suddenly,  too  1 

Kale.  Yes— ye — es,  sir.     Oh,  oh!  oh  dear!  {Crying. 

Scout.  Poor  wench  !     An  ugly  affair  this  for  Mr.  Snarl. 

Mit.  Don't  weep  so,  child  ;  I'll  see  justice  done  you. 
ji    Kate.  Oil,  my  husband!  my  poor  dear  husband  !  oh,  oh,  oh,  oh  ! 
..    Mit.    Nay.  be  comforted  ;   consider,  you  were  married  yesterday 
morning,  and 

Kate.  Ay,  that's  the  reason  ;  had  he  lived  a  day  or  two  longer,  it 
would  have  been  some  con-so-la-tion !     Oh,  oh,  oh! 

Mit.  The  murderer  shall  be  punished  ;  I  have  given  the  necessary 
orders  already,  and  you  will  shortly  have  the  comfort  of  seeing  him 
hanged. 

Scoid.  Hanged !  Poor  neighbor  Snarl !  So  valuable  a  member  of 
the  community  too.  He'll  be  a  public  loss,  neighbor  Mittimus,  a 
public  loss. 

Alii.  True,  he  was  a  useful  man  in  the  country.  But  what  can  I 
do  1  here's  a  man  murdered,  and  his  widow  demands  justice. 

Scout.  But  what  service  would  it  be  to  you,  Kate,  to  have  Mr.  Snarl 
hanged  ?     Would  it  not  be  better  to 

Kale.  Why.  sir,  I  am  not  revengeful,  and  if  there  was  any  friendly 
way  of  making  up  matters,  you  know  how  I  love  your  worship's  god 
daughter. 

Mit.  My  god-daughter!  what  concerns  has  .she  in  this  affair"? 

Kate.  Why.  an'  please  your  worship,  Charles,  Mr.  Snarl's  only  son 
is  in  love  with  Miss  Harriet,  your  worship's  god-daughter  ;  but  Mr. 
Snarl  won't  consent  to  the  marriage.  Now  your  worship  is  a  man  ol 
learning,  and  if  you  set  about  it,  I'm  sure  you  might  contrive  some- 
thing to  please  all  parties. 


THE    VILLAGE    LAWYER.  15 

Mit.  I  have  it.  We'll  hush  matters  up  on  condition  that  Mr.  Snarl 
consents  to  Ihe  match.     But  neighbor  Scout,  do  you  consent  ? 

Scout.  Why,  I  had  no  intention  of  marrying  my  daughter  yet ;  but 
to  save  Mr.  Snarl  from  being  hanged,  come,  I  consent. 

Mit.  They  are  bringing  him  this  way,  I  see  ;  leave  us  together. 

Scout,  ni  but  ju.st  fill  up  the  blanks  of  a  band,  which  you'll  oblige 
bim  to  sign  ;  otherwise  he  might  retract,  you  know. 

lEzii  Scout  and  Kate,  k.  h. 

Enter  Snarl  and  Coxstables,  l.  h. 

Mit.  Well,  neighbor  Snarl,  the  poor  wretch  you  beat  they  fay  is 
dead  ;  and  you  confessed  the  fact,  you  know. 

Snarl.  I  did  ;  a  blister  on  my  tongue  for  it. 

Mit.  The  law  must  take  its  course.  But  first  let  me  know  whether 
you  would  rather  be  banged  or  consent  to  your  son's  wedding. 

Snarl.  Neither  one  nor  t'other. 

Mit.  Lawyer  Scout  has  a  daughter— jbeautiful,  and  well-accom- 
plished— and  your  son  is  in  love  with  her. 

Snarl.   What's  that  to  me  ? 

Mit.  Now  matters  might  be  hushed  up  if  you  consent  to  their  mar- 
riage. 

Snarl.  I'll  be  banged  first. 

Mil.  Away  with  him  to  prison  then. 

Snarl.  Hold,  hold  !     I'll  consent. 

Enter  Sconr  and  Charles,  l.  h. 

Scout.  Here's  a  bond  ready  for  signing  ;  and  Mr.  Snarl,  if  any  of 
my  family  can  be  of  service  to  you  in  your  present  misfortune,  you 
may  command  me. 

Snarl.  Eh,  what !  do  you  want  another  four  yards  of  cloth,  rascal  ? 
Bnt  come,  give  me  this  bond.     There.  [Signs  it. 

Mit.  Come,  Charles,  you  and  I  will  be  witnesses.  So  you  have  had 
a  fortunate  escape,  neighbor  Snarl ;  I  wish  you  joy  of  your  good 
luck. 

Snarl.  Yes,  this  has  been  a  lucky  day  for  me,  truly, 

Enter  two  Countrymen,  dragging  in  Sheepface,  l.  h. 

Coun   Bring  him  along. 

Sheep.  Mercy,  good  folks ! 

Mit.  Whence  comes  this  ghost  1 

Coun.  Why.  an't  please  your  worship,  we  found  this  fellow  hid  under 
a  heap  of  barley  in  our  barn,  so  we  brought  him  before  your  worship 
to  make  him  give  an  account  of  himself. 

Mit.  What's  become  of  the  blows  your  master  gave  you  on  the  head  ? 

Sheep.  Gone  along  with  the  fourteen  wethers. 

Snarl.  What,  rascal,  you  are  not  dead  then  ? 

Sheep.  Baa ! 

Snarl.  Let  me  come  at  him !  I  have  paid  for  the  killing,  and  it  is 
but  fair  I  should  have  the  worth  of  my  money  ;  so,  if  I'm  not  allowed 
to  choke  him,  I  retract  the  consent  I  gave. 


16  THE    TILL  AG  K    LAWYER. 

Scout.  With  all  my  heart ;  fo  you  may  pay  the  penalty  of  your 
bond,  which  is  two  thousand  guinea?. 

Snarl.  Two  thousand  devils !  But  come,  joking  apart,  you'll  pay 
me  the  fifty  pounds  your  father  owod  mine  1 

Scout.  Yes,  when  you  can  produce  nie  his  note. 

Snarl.  Mercy  upon  me  !     But  tljcu  my  (our  yards  of  cloth. 

Scout.  I'll  wear  them  at  your  sou's  wedding. 

Snarl.  Well,  at  any  rate,  give  m*'  my  sl)aie  of  the  goose. 

Scout.  It  flew  back  this  morning  to  Norlnlk. 

Snarl.  Then  this  rascal  shall  pay  for  all.  and  I'll  begin  by  having 
him  hanged. 

Cliar.  'Tis  time  I  own  the  truth,  father.  He  has  done  nothing  but 
by  my  direction,  and  to  supply  my  necessities  ;  therefore,  suffer  me 
to  meet  your  future  indulgence  by  the  means  of  conquering  all  such 
temptations  hencefoward. 

Snarl.  Hem  !  well,  it  must  be  so  then,  I  think  ;  and,  to  prevent  any 
future  abuse,  I'll  sell  off  all  my  sheep,  and  then  they'll  neither  die 
of  the  rot.  nor  shall  I  need  a  shepherd. 

Scout.  Well,  so  far  have  I  succeed  fully,  both  for  myself  and  client: 
but  a  cause  in  which  we  are  all  interested,  remains  yet  to  be  deter- 
minod,  which  we  must  learn  from  the  decision  of  this  tribunal — 
whether  the  Village  Lawter  is  to  be  struck  off  the  roll,  or  not. 


THE  END. 


Ljciulord  ^= 

SPEEDY   BINDER 

■^^:^Z   S>fOcuse,  N.   Y. 

"^^^^^^^    Stockton,  Collf. 


3  1205  03058  2983 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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